If anyone has had a beloved family pet and it has passed on you can relate to this heartfelt story.

Venus is a beautiful cat who is the delight of all her family members. She is tenderly pampered with tasty food, brushings every day and quality play times. She is taken very good care of and wrapped in plenty of snuggles and love. Venus is an inside cat but that doesn't stop her kitty instincts of wanting to be outside chasing birds and romping freely through the grass.

Years pass and Venus doesn't play with the same energy that she once had. She takes longer naps and dreams of chasing the birds in the backyard.

When she is seventeen years old, she starts to forget where her litter box is and can't see as well as she used to.

Gina, her owner, takes Venus to the vet and discovers her heart is getting weak and she is very sick. Venus is allowed home for a few days to say farewell to her family but she must return to the animal hospital so they can make her as comfortable as possible when she goes to kitty heaven.

Sadly she is taken home and is surrounded by her family who love on her with hugs and treats and say their goodbyes to their special pet. A week later she is returned to the hospital leaving everyone devastated knowing that she will not be returning back home.

The book covers the emotions that the family experiences regarding Venus's death and how they cope afterwards. God sends a very special sign to them after her passing to reassure them that Venus is in a wonderful place now. She is romping around outside, chasing butterflies and birds, and very happy. She is pain-free because yes, she has arrived at her destination... she in kitty heaven.

The story is one that begs for dialogue about owning and coping with the death of a pet. The illustrations are striking, bold and full of emotion and heart. I love the book and would highly recommend it for home, a classroom or a school library.

Storybook Rating - 5 +++ HUGS!!!!!

Meet the author

Gina Lypaczewski is a retired certified pediatric nurse. A Gift from Venus is based on a true event. Gina felt compelled to tell the story with the hope of helping young children cope with the grief of losing a pet. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, Chris.

Born in ’95, MJ has been creating art non-stop all her life, putting all that she’s learned into everything she does. She’s taught students, organized art shows, performed at the Art Gallery of Ontario, painted murals abroad and her talents were recognized by DC Comics Editor, Ellie Pyle, Former Disney Artist, Kurt Lehner, Famous Actress, Ashley Leggat, and many others.

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Hi! My name is Marilyn and I am so happy you dropped by.

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